so long, Chevy SSR

A truly mis-understood vehicle. GM stuck its neck out because so many enthusiast said they would buy one. Then, they kept the sexy, retro look, but built it on a low performance drivetrain (Trailblazer). Two years later, even a hot 6.0/6 speed combo didn't help its sales. Last year, the plant was idle more than it was operational due to lack of demand. Friday, they build the last one. :(

Here's a story from the Lansing, Michigan paper (home of the Craft Centre where the SSR is/was built).

http://www.lsj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060315/NEWS03/603150350

I have probably only seen about five of them on the road since their debut.

I've seen a few dozen. I always liked them, especially after the LS2, but thought they were probably $10K too expensive.

I've seen alot around here. Gay.

The Price was wrong
The marketing was wrong
And it was the answer to the question no one asked. Should've never been built and IMHO was a waste and drain of resources that could've been dedicated to other vehicles.

That was the stupidest vehicle Ive ever seen GM build in recent years. They kill off the Fbody and bring in that SSR POS, I wont miss it, thats for damn sure.

I hate SSRs. I might have liked it better if they weren't so heavy, and were priced more like a GTO than a Corvette, but I still don't care for the look.

I have seen a couple locally.

1st. Too expensive for the average enthusiast.
2nd.. Didn't have the performance to attract most enthusiast.
3rd. Targeted to too small of a group.
4th.. WAS NOT A REPLACEMENT FOR THE F-BODY.

There are some brain dead folks running GM these days. :o

I never understood that vehicle!

I hated those things from the first day I saw one. I see them parked outside dealerships all the time, and I don't think I've ever seen one leave a lot.

Well i think you guys should be happy that is just another hint that the 5th Gen is coming out!

Never been a big fan of them.

Like most everyone else said, I thought they were too expensive and underpowered (until the LS2 became standard). And even with the LS2 I don't think they're exceptionally quick.

I did see a Trailblazer SS at a local Chevy dealer, and I have to admit, I like them.

I was never a big fan of them, but they were defiently unique. What pissed me off was that I only saw one with the top down the entire time they've been out. Why spend so much money on a truck thats a convertible, only to have the top and windows up, blasting AC?

Still one of the funnest vehicles I've driven.

R.I.P. SSR.

I went out car-hunting, seriously consided the SSR. Found it to be at least $10G overpriced, maybe more. Walked.

It was intended to be a limited production, limited model-year vehicle from the start. It was a "halo vehicle", intended to bring customers into the showroom. It did it's job.

-Chris

It was overpriced and underpowered in 2004. The LS2 trucks were fast (high 13's) but still too expensive.

I still give GM credit for taking a risk on this vehicle. They took another ricks with the Solstice, but this time they got the price right.

It did it's job.-Chris

Punctuation Police: Put your hands up and step away from the keyboard. You are BUSTED!!

;)

It was intended to be a limited production, limited model-year vehicle from the start. It was a "halo vehicle", intended to bring customers into the showroom. It did it's job.

-Chris

In my case, I dropped by the dealership to look at the then-new C6, took a look at the SSR on the way in, decided it was way overpriced, and left without looking at the vette. I've come to my senses since then, but it's still way overpriced.

SSR was more useless then a lighting. At least the lighting had a useful bed and bigger inside.
And anyone who compares it to an f-body replacement is a fool. A sport truck will never look as good nor perform as well as a car folks.

Over weight+over priced=:no:

Was never a fan in anyway on these 'trucks'

I've driven multiple. They drive like sh*t. I hate them.

Yet they made a profit!

It's a unique vehicle done in a very un-GM like manner. As an auto enthusiast, I think they're pretty cool!

Its quite possible these will be come collectibles one day.

Wasn't my type of car, but it was good to see GM at least taking a chance. I have actually seen quite alot of them around here since they debuted a few years ago.

I would never of purchased one, but I never had hatred towards them like some of you do...

There is one local lowered... I think they look ALOT better lowered!

I always thought the problem was they tried to merge to incosolable markets.

People who will buy it just because its goofy looking like a PT cruiser, don't know or care how much hp it makes, and dont want to pay half as much as what it cost.

People who want an LS2 will... are you ready.... Buy a Corvette... or maybe a GTO, even with 400 hp its far from a performance vehicle.

Dunno, the vert hardtop was cool, thats about it. If it were 20k -25k with a much smaller engine I could see them moving some units.

overpriced

It was overpriced and underpowered in 2004. The LS2 trucks were fast (high 13's) but still too expensive.

I still give GM credit for taking a risk on this vehicle. They took another ricks with the Solstice, but this time they got the price right.

Agreed, give them some credit for stepping out on the edge. Least GM has some flavor and excitement in their lineup unlike say... Toyota.

I liked them. But like most it was out of my price range.

I was intrigued by the vehicle when it came out... until I saw the specs and a price that was exactly the same as a C5! (here in Canada anyway) I couldn't figure out why anyone who was in the market for a 2-seater would choose an overweight, clumsy gas-guzzler with no towing capacity and that couldn't get out of its own way (with the 5.3) when they could buy a 'Vette for the same $!!:eek:

Best regardSS,

Elie

I see LOTS of SSR's around here. And I see them year round as daily drivers. In blizzards. Caked with salt. In the rain.

Anyway, the SSR added some needed spice to the Chevy line-up and showed some balls to make. Too bad it was so pricey....because other than price, I thought it was cool.

SSR:
-Initially underpowered
-overpriced
-never intended as an F-body replacement
-intended as a 3 MY vehicle from the start (the 06 is a bonus)
-gutsy design and features
-should have been offered with a fixed roof and the 6.0/6psd. from beginning
-I was considering buying one until I heard about the 5.3/auto and the price-
bought my Firehawk instead(glad I did)
-Now maybe I'll get the El Camino SS I really wanted when I considered SSR
- In short I respect and like the SSR, but I won't shed any tears over its passing

I have probably only seen about five of them on the road since their debut.

It all depends where you live.

In So-Cal, I saw one per week. Up here, I still see a few per month.


The Price was wrong
The marketing was wrong
And it was the answer to the question no one asked. Should've never been built and IMHO was a waste and drain of resources that could've been dedicated to other vehicles.

Keep in mind that the development of the SSR cost ALOT less than a mid-level advertising campaign. The money invested to make the SSR wouldn't be a drop in the bucket for new car development. The chassis came from Trailblazer, the top was outsourced, and the number of people working on the project probally wouldn't fill a roulette table in Vegas (why it took forever to get from concept to production).

As for cost, it was made in such low numbers and the price of that top was so astronomical, the truck had to be sold at the price it was. Probally would have been an easy $8-10K cheaper if done without that top.

SSR's purpose was to add some flash to Chevy's showroom and eye candy for Chevy comercials (remember that SSR doing a high speed handbrake turn on the "Car Carrier" comercial, or the even more memorable "Soap" comercial with those kids?).

Then there's the fact that every time one passes, people still get whiplash spining their heads around too fast to look at it.


SSRs were NEVER meant to be high sellers or last more than a few years. Like GTO, whoever was responsible for guessing production numbers didn't look at the competition. Like the guys who didn't look at Cobra and Mach1 numbers for GTO projection, someone didn't look at the Lightning and downgrade the numbers because of SSR's 10 grand price premium.

Finally, it's worth pointing out SSR owners are the most fanatical vehicle owners you've ever seen. Camaro, Corvette, even Viper owners have nothing on this group. :lol:


But most important thing of all about the SSR.......

THESE THINGS WILL BECOME COLLECTIBLE!!!!!!! :bow:
If you doubt for a minute they won't be, you're a fool!

(Even the GTO Judge was a sales disaster, and along with Hemi Cudas were seen in their day as extremely overpriced and wasteful when there were cheaper better alternatives).

What Guy said...
... and they sound great!

GM's Prowler

GM's Prowler

Prowlers aren't exactly depreciating. :)

they are depreciating..like how bad..:confused:

Then there's the fact that every time one passes, people still get whiplash spining their heads around too fast to look at it.
If you say so....
But most important thing of all about the SSR.......
THESE THINGS WILL BECOME COLLECTIBLE!!!!!!!
A Model T is collectible too and I don't want one of those either

I see LOTS of SSR's around here. And I see them year round as daily drivers. In blizzards. Caked with salt. In the rain.

Anyway, the SSR added some needed spice to the Chevy line-up and showed some balls to make. Too bad it was so pricey....because other than price, I thought it was cool.

They were realy cool show type trucks. I liked them more than the El Camino. I think it should have been 10k less though. If they were selling as well as mentioned I dont see a good reason for it dieing. Just being limited and cool they will be collectables.

I see alot of them around here. They are "neat" but definitely not my cup of tea. I couldn't get over the price. Since it was priced way too close to the Corvette, I would just take the C6.

I do agree though, the SSR will be the next Gran National. The car that everyone will want once they can't have it anymore.

P.S. If you think the SSR was a F-Body replacement, you're retarded. ;)

I do agree though, the SSR will be the next Gran National. The car that everyone will want once they can't have it anymore.
I take offense to that comparison. It's Grand, by the way.

just watched the Island. I like how they made SSR look like an old hot rod truck. That was cool.

On a side note that rear engine Caddy super car was awesome too. I never seen that before.

I would take a 6-speed LS2 SSR, yellow or black w/chrome wheels, if the price was right.

Funny thing is I see more SSRs around town than GTOs. I've see atleast 5 or 6 different SSRs running around town, and only 2 GTOs a red '04 and a black '05.

I think I am developing a thing for hardtop/convertible vehicles, because the G6 Convertible looks nice, BUT the 6-speed is n/a on the GTP which SUCKS!:mad:

I just did a quick search on AutoTrader for SSR in my area.

The all out cheapest SSR I found was a '03 w/8K miles at $24,900

The cheapest LS2 6-speed I found was a '05 w/6K miles at $33,900

An interesting find was a '04 SSR Indy 500 festival car that was $30,995 and had 5K miles on it.

If a LS2 6-speed ever gets down into the 20s, I might have to spring for one. It looks like finding low mileage examples is not hard, and holding on to one might be worth it.

found this one

http://www.trader.ca/powerpage/details.aspx?vlotid=295010&adid=4933048

It's the factory hotrod for the 20-year old kid with the engineer's budget.

.... kinda like that GTO car...